An excellent species found in open and semi-shaded habitats, such as forests, scrub, alpine meadows and alpine rock crevices, often in rocky and wet areas, at 1800-5100m across India (Sikkim, N. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh), E. Nepal, N. Bhutan, S.E. Tibet and China (S.W. Sichuan, E. and S. Xizang, and N. Yunnan). The leaves are generally elliptic to ovate-elliptic and rounded at both the apex and base with a smooth, entire margin that can be sinuous or denticulate. Hair-like teeth occasionally appear at the base. Deep purple-red or bright pink flowers, often becoming red with age, open from dark red calyces atop a branching red stem in spring. The species is used medicinally and is a source of bergenin.